Hardik Pandya, the India all-rounder, faced a tumultuous Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season marked by criticism and disappointment. His stint as the Mumbai Indians captain, replacing Rohit Sharma, was marred by abuse and boos from spectators. Furthermore, his performance with both bat and ball fell short of expectations.
As the T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, Pandya’s absence among the first batch of players departing for the USA and West Indies raises eyebrows. Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, notable players like Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, and Rishabh Pant were spotted at the airport. However, Pandya was conspicuously missing.
While Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Pandya’s Mumbai Indians teammate Suryakumar Yadav were seen in the shared pictures by the BCCI on social media, Pandya’s absence is noteworthy.
The wait is over.
We are back!
Let’s show your support for #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/yc69JiclP8
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 25, 2024
The BCCI’s decision to send the initial group, comprising players not involved in the IPL 2024 playoffs, on Saturday accentuates Pandya’s expected inclusion. Yet, he was notably absent, sparking speculation among fans.
Rumors concerning Pandya’s personal life have added fuel to the speculations surrounding his absence. Recent reports suggest discord between Pandya and his partner Natasa Stankovic, prompted by her removal of the ‘Pandya’ surname from her Instagram handle. Additionally, viral discussions on Reddit questioned her absence from IPL 2024 matches and lack of recent pictures with Pandya.
While these rumors circulate on social media, neither Pandya nor Stankovic has provided official statements, leaving the situation shrouded in uncertainty. Contrary to reports, Natasa’s Instagram page still features images of her with Pandya and his family, dispelling notions of a wholesale deletion.
As Pandya’s whereabouts remain unclear, the cricketing community awaits official clarification amidst swirling speculations.
